Best Things to Buy in July
It may feel like summer's only just begun, but this month, you're going to start seeing all the back to school items fill up store shelves. Some of these are good buys in July, and others will go on sale before school starts if you just wait a month to stock up. We've got the scoop on all the best deals of the month, as well as a few temptations that you should wait another month or two to buy. First, the best things to buy in July:
Grills
Up until the 4th of July weekend, grills will be the featured item in any store that sells them. Everyone barbecues on the Fourth! But after the holiday is over, the grills have to go to make room for all the back to school gear that's coming out. Stores may advertise holiday sales for grills, but wait until a week or two after Independence Day, and you'll find even better discounts on grills -- and you've still got plenty of summertime left to enjoy your new toy.
Hot Prices: Ducane Affinity Liquid Propane Grill starting at $299 | Weber Smokey Joe Silver Grill for just $29 | Napoleon Prestige 65" Freestanding Grill for $719 | More in Grills
Patio Furniture
Like grills, you've still got plenty of great weather left to enjoy new patio furniture, but retailers assume that if you didn't buy it at the beginning of the summer, you're not buying it now, and they'll be moving all of this year's styles to clearance by July. Take advantage of great prices now to do some outdoor remodeling!
Hot Prices: Ty Pennington Sierra 4-piece Patio Chat Set for $649.99 | Country Living Seneca 7-piece Patio Dining Set for $399.99 | Country Living Edgewood 5-piece Patio Seat Group for $299.99 | More in Patio Furniture
Backpacks
A lot of back to school items can wait until it's actually time to go back to school, because who really cares what brand of glue stick you end up buying? But lots of items will sell out long before Labor Day, so if your child has a favorite brand or style, you'll want to snatch it up as soon as it hits the sales floor, or you won't find it later. Backpacks are one of those items where you'll have a great selection in July, but if you wait until August, you'll be choosing from what's left of a picked-over offering.
Hot Prices: Patagonia Mini Mass Messenger Bag for $69.99 | Adidas Velocity II Tech Backpack from $52 | Classic Jansport Superbreak Backpack for $29.90 | More in Backpacks
Bikinis and Tankinis
By July, there's not a matching two-piece swimsuit left on the rack. All the single pieces are marked down to great prices, but what's the point if you can't find the bottoms to match the top you love? Turn to online shopping to find matching tops and bottoms in stock and on sale.
Hot Prices: Beach Bay Halter Bikini for $29.96 | Fossil Jennie Bandeau Bikini Top for $19.99 & Fossil Jennie Bikini Bottoms for $9.99 | The Finals Kaleidoscope Splice Butterfly Back Workout Bikini for $26.63 | More in Bikinis
A hot day makes a great excuse to go shopping, but remember there are lots of items hitting sales floors right now that will be on sale if you can hold off for a few weeks. Here are some of the top things not to buy in July:
School Supplies - Even though it's a drag that summer's ending, back to school shopping is a highlight for most kids. Aisles of pens, pencils, and notebooks will tempt you now, but wait until late August to buy these items and you'll get to take advantage of lots of late-season sales. All these items will likely be buy-one-get-one-free within a month or so -- still plenty of time to shop and save for the next school year! Remember, though, that if there's a name brand item you need, you won't want to wait, because it might sell out before August. But where the brand or particular style don't matter, hold off until next month.
If you really can't wait, these DiVoga Fashion Metallic 1" Binders are a pretty good deal at $2.50 each.
Back to School Clothes - Jeans, long-sleeved shirts, and tennis shoes are the hottest back to school items each summer. But will your kid be wearing jeans and long sleeves in August and early September? Almost certainly not -- so why pay full price to buy these items in July? If your child needs new clothes for school, that's fine -- but start with the clearance racks, where stores will be selling more seasonally-appropriate outfits like shorts and t-shirts. Avoid crowds and high prices by doing your real back to school clothes shopping in September.
If you really can't wait, try Old Navy Khaki Pants. They'll be more comfortable than jeans when it's hot out, and men's and women's styles are on sale now from $8.99 to $29.50.
Big Appliances - Summer is a time when you may feel like taking on a big remodeling project, or a kitchen upgrade, but now is not the time to invest in new appliances. Items like this traditionally go on sale in the fall, when the next year's models come out. If you want to update your kitchen, do the cosmetic things now like repainting or reorganizing your pantry, but wait to buy a new fridge and range when the 2010 models go on sale in a few months.
If you really can't wait, this large GE 25.0 cu. ft. Refrigerator sells for just $832.88.
Digital Cameras - Digital cameras are hot sellers in the summer months, as people like to upgrade their old models in time to capture the memories from this year's big summer vacation. The best times to buy small electronics like digital cameras are mid-spring and mid-autumn. Take some time to research what's available, and then snatch up a great deal in October or March, but don't buy in July.
If you really can't wait, the Canon Powershot is a great starter digital camera. You can find basic models as low as $89.
Grills
Up until the 4th of July weekend, grills will be the featured item in any store that sells them. Everyone barbecues on the Fourth! But after the holiday is over, the grills have to go to make room for all the back to school gear that's coming out. Stores may advertise holiday sales for grills, but wait until a week or two after Independence Day, and you'll find even better discounts on grills -- and you've still got plenty of summertime left to enjoy your new toy.Hot Prices: Ducane Affinity Liquid Propane Grill starting at $299 | Weber Smokey Joe Silver Grill for just $29 | Napoleon Prestige 65" Freestanding Grill for $719 | More in Grills
Patio Furniture
Like grills, you've still got plenty of great weather left to enjoy new patio furniture, but retailers assume that if you didn't buy it at the beginning of the summer, you're not buying it now, and they'll be moving all of this year's styles to clearance by July. Take advantage of great prices now to do some outdoor remodeling!
Hot Prices: Ty Pennington Sierra 4-piece Patio Chat Set for $649.99 | Country Living Seneca 7-piece Patio Dining Set for $399.99 | Country Living Edgewood 5-piece Patio Seat Group for $299.99 | More in Patio Furniture
Backpacks
A lot of back to school items can wait until it's actually time to go back to school, because who really cares what brand of glue stick you end up buying? But lots of items will sell out long before Labor Day, so if your child has a favorite brand or style, you'll want to snatch it up as soon as it hits the sales floor, or you won't find it later. Backpacks are one of those items where you'll have a great selection in July, but if you wait until August, you'll be choosing from what's left of a picked-over offering.
Hot Prices: Patagonia Mini Mass Messenger Bag for $69.99 | Adidas Velocity II Tech Backpack from $52 | Classic Jansport Superbreak Backpack for $29.90 | More in Backpacks
Bikinis and Tankinis
By July, there's not a matching two-piece swimsuit left on the rack. All the single pieces are marked down to great prices, but what's the point if you can't find the bottoms to match the top you love? Turn to online shopping to find matching tops and bottoms in stock and on sale.
Hot Prices: Beach Bay Halter Bikini for $29.96 | Fossil Jennie Bandeau Bikini Top for $19.99 & Fossil Jennie Bikini Bottoms for $9.99 | The Finals Kaleidoscope Splice Butterfly Back Workout Bikini for $26.63 | More in Bikinis
A hot day makes a great excuse to go shopping, but remember there are lots of items hitting sales floors right now that will be on sale if you can hold off for a few weeks. Here are some of the top things not to buy in July:
School Supplies - Even though it's a drag that summer's ending, back to school shopping is a highlight for most kids. Aisles of pens, pencils, and notebooks will tempt you now, but wait until late August to buy these items and you'll get to take advantage of lots of late-season sales. All these items will likely be buy-one-get-one-free within a month or so -- still plenty of time to shop and save for the next school year! Remember, though, that if there's a name brand item you need, you won't want to wait, because it might sell out before August. But where the brand or particular style don't matter, hold off until next month. If you really can't wait, these DiVoga Fashion Metallic 1" Binders are a pretty good deal at $2.50 each.
Back to School Clothes - Jeans, long-sleeved shirts, and tennis shoes are the hottest back to school items each summer. But will your kid be wearing jeans and long sleeves in August and early September? Almost certainly not -- so why pay full price to buy these items in July? If your child needs new clothes for school, that's fine -- but start with the clearance racks, where stores will be selling more seasonally-appropriate outfits like shorts and t-shirts. Avoid crowds and high prices by doing your real back to school clothes shopping in September.If you really can't wait, try Old Navy Khaki Pants. They'll be more comfortable than jeans when it's hot out, and men's and women's styles are on sale now from $8.99 to $29.50.
Big Appliances - Summer is a time when you may feel like taking on a big remodeling project, or a kitchen upgrade, but now is not the time to invest in new appliances. Items like this traditionally go on sale in the fall, when the next year's models come out. If you want to update your kitchen, do the cosmetic things now like repainting or reorganizing your pantry, but wait to buy a new fridge and range when the 2010 models go on sale in a few months.
If you really can't wait, this large GE 25.0 cu. ft. Refrigerator sells for just $832.88.
Digital Cameras - Digital cameras are hot sellers in the summer months, as people like to upgrade their old models in time to capture the memories from this year's big summer vacation. The best times to buy small electronics like digital cameras are mid-spring and mid-autumn. Take some time to research what's available, and then snatch up a great deal in October or March, but don't buy in July.If you really can't wait, the Canon Powershot is a great starter digital camera. You can find basic models as low as $89.
.............................................................
Pass this along to your fellow bargainistas and deal hunters!
Don't miss our Summer Sweepstakes
It's going on right now. We're giving away 3 iPads!
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Pass this along to your fellow bargainistas and deal hunters!
Don't miss our Summer Sweepstakes
It's going on right now. We're giving away 3 iPads!
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Become a Fan on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
Watch us on YouTube: AOLShoppingTV
Sign up for the AOL Shopping Deals Newsletter
Comments page 1 of 1
Highest Rank
carrie said 7-02-2010 @7:24AM
Interesting.. I thought it would be the most expensive time to buy a gas grill... ours is on its last leg, hoping it makes it through our July 4th bbq! We found some great recipes, dyi decoration ideas and some games for our party on Sunday at http://www.celebrationideasonline.com great idea for decorating themed straw sunhats.. making them for all the gals.
replyNeutral
Arlene said 7-02-2010 @8:25AM
I need to get a great grill for our barbecue this weekend! Http://www.greatbarbecuetips.com
replyNeutral
Robert M said 7-02-2010 @8:53AM
Actually, July is a good time to get a deal on digital cameras. I have a family owned retail camera store, http://www.moldaners.com, so this is my area of expertise. March and October are when the manufacturers introduce their new models and the prices are firm. In July/August and again in January/Febuary, the models from six months before are being reduced in price and closed out. And the truth is, very rarely are the new models anything special. Color or design changes, a feature here, a megapixel there, an extra 0.1" of screen size, otherwise they're recycled versions of the old ones. There are cameras from 3-4 years ago that would sell perfectly well now and do what people needed, but everyone thinks they need the latest. Bottom line: Research for the features YOU need, and don't be blinded by the glitz.
replyNeutral
claudine said 7-04-2010 @3:55AM
I am smart for have past 10 years went to WalMart and bought school supplies on the Fourth of July when they are just putting out the school supplies then have all of it for August and not doing any last minute hunting down that item. i go to school website and look up grade which now Senior. I bought extra on some things so really did well this year for not have to get much. Biggest thing pencil sharpers and mechanical pencils with lead. They don't start putting out stuff in day. Clothes already started in June for couple stores have school clothes. Thanks for items needed. Am looking for backpack that is shoulder if any one sees one Please let me know for hard to find or too costly. Want new. Thanks~
replyNeutral
anonymous said 7-02-2010 @12:21PM
I am going to buy a digital camera in the next few weeks. My mom and I are taking our annual summer vacation later this month. My mom still has a 35mm camera. I think it is time for both of us to upgrade. I have used my neighbor's wife's digital camera and it is surprisingly easy to use. I always thought something like that would be difficult to use.
replyI have done a lot of reasearch on the digital cameras that stores have to offer and I am down to three brands. I am considering buying a Canon Power Shot SD 1300, Canon Power Shot A 3100, Nikon Coolpix S3000, Nikon Coolpix S4000, Sony Cyber Shot W330 and Sony Cyber Shot W350. These have the top ratings of all the brands I have researched. I researched Kodak, but the Easyshare's are not an option after I have read all the negative reviews about the battery life among other negatives about the Easyshare.
I started off asking my neighbor, he and his wife have their own digital camera. He bought himself one about 10 years ago and he bought his wife a digital camera about five years ago for Christmas. He said to get the highest megapixels like a 12 or 14 megapixel cmaera so I don't regret it in the future.
I also went to a nearby Sears a few days ago and the guy I talked to said stick with Canon, Nikon and Sony. And of all the brands I researched it turned out those were the top rated digital cameras out there. The features are simple, if you don't like a certain photo, you can delete it and not worry about it. You can also hook it up to your home computer to recharge or in a hotel room somewhere.
My neighbor said to get the highest SanDisc I can find. I have looked and the highest I saw is a 8GB SanDisc. He said there is a 16GB SanDisc now, but I have not seen it anywhere. It might be at a store like BestBuy.
My neighbor also said it is better to buy online because you can find better deals. I am not going to buy a digital camera online as to what would I do if it did not work properly? I would have to pay to ship it back and get my money back, which I am not willing to do, because it could be weeks before that happended.
Highest Rank
mimi said 7-02-2010 @1:52PM
It is so hard to choose a camera. I finally got a cannon powershot SX100IS. It takes great pictures and is not complicated to use. Be sure to get re-chargeable batteries.
Neutral
Jerseyguy said 7-02-2010 @4:35PM
The way this article reads it is kind of useless. I think we all know that
replygrills will be cheaper after the 4th and the other items like a fridge are
not selling well anytime of the year with the economy we have now. As far as
backpacks that is something that can either be cheap or expensive if your
buying for kids, cheap is the best by next year the kid won't like it anyway
so why spend big bucks every year. I have a few that many readers may like to
know that the author never mentioned shhh don't tell anyone, ok here goes, ready? Buy a Christmas tree on Dec 26, guaranteed to be cheap. Here is a little
known secret don't tell shhh ok. Buy todays newspaper tomorrow ok? Hey I just
saved you folks a lot of money..........LOL.....